Participatory monitoring and evaluation of marine water quality, a case study of Sappi Saiccor, Umkomaas.

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Abstract

Previously, issues concerning the use and conservation of the natural resources were
restricted to certain groups of individuals, normally those considered to be scientific
experts. However with the emergence of sustainable development and the adoption of
its principles therein, there has been increased community concern over
environmental quality issues resulting in pressure for transparency in environmental
decision-making processes. The result has been a dramatic expansion in the number of
organisations at the local, national and global scales committed to environmental
improvement. This in turn has let to dramatic changes in the role of the public in
decisions relating to natural resource management. Participatory development is now
acknowledged as critical in achieving sound environmental management.
The initiation of community-based environmental decision-making has led to the
formation of new and interesting partnerships. Environmentalists, communities,
policy makers and business people have begun to work together in an attempt to find
consensus concernIng environmental problems and related socio-economic
inequalities. This has resulted in the development of new ways of integrating local
and scientific knowledge systems.
This thesis illustrates community-based environmental decision-making in the
management of the use of the south coast of Durban. It outlines a partnership, through
the formation of the Permit Advisory Panel (PAP), comprising industry (Sappi
Saiccor), government, through its Department of Water Affairs and Forestry,
environmental organisations, and the local people in the monitoring of the impacts of
effluent produced by the industry and disposed of into the sea. The aim of this thesis
is to develop an alternative methodology that will be acceptable to all stakeholders,
for the collection and analysis of data in the monitoring of the Sappi Saiccor effluent.
This was achieved through the following objectives: to develop a methodology for the
collection and analysis of data, to assess the performance of the new pipeline in terms
of reduced aesthetic impacts of the effluent, to assess the role of local knowledge in
the monitoring process, and finally to assess the role of this study in the functioning of
the PAP. This thesis attempts to integrate qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The
subjective local data collected by the divers is analysed using statistical methods to
assess the impacts of the effluent on marine water quality and the effect the new
pipeline has had in reducing these impacts. Qualitative surveys such as questionnaires
and interviews were administered to assess the role of local knowledge in the
monitoring process and also to assess the role this study has had in the functioning of
the PAP.
The statistical analysis did not reveal any major improvement in underwater visibility
since the pipeline was extended. There is a 6% and 4% improvement in the number of
effluent days and visibility respectively. This however is due to some limitations
inherent in the data collection process, and as a result the improvement brought about
by the pipeline extension has been toned down. An effluent and visibility index is
therefore recommended as an alternative method of data collection and analysis to
reduce the level of inaccuracy. The role of local knowledge is perceived by many of
the PAP members as vital in the monitoring process. This study was therefore thought
of as an important step in validating this local knowledge such that it can be a reliable
data source to be used in the monitoring process. It also played an important role in
resolving the conflict between the PAP members. It is therefore recommended that the
divers data should be continually used in the monitoring process, though the divers
have to be more actively involved. The PAP is therefore tasked with liasing with the
community members, especially the divers such that they can assume a more active
and responsible role within the PAP. They should be involved in the development of
the methods of data collection and analysis.